Hiring a car in the Lake District is the best way to explore everything that this picturesque part of the UK has to offer. It provides a great amount of flexibility and convenience to your holiday as you are not having to stick to infrequent buses that take long winding routes or having to wait for an expensive taxi. Given how large the Lake District is, if you want to do some serious exploring, then a car hire is essential. Car hire is also much cheaper compared to public transport and taxi fares which can really eat away at your holiday budget, especially if you are staying for a longer period of time.
Information on places to visit in the Lake District with a hire car
The Lake District sits towards the north-west of the UK and is not only popular with national staycationers, but is also visited by thousands of people from all over the world each year. It is known for its stunning natural beauty with its steep hills, long hiking trails, abundance of quiet lakes and the hustle and bustle of some of its smaller towns. One of the best places to target when visiting is Lake Windermere which is the largest of the lakes in the area. Taking a leisurely boat cruise with a picnic is one of the best things to do or you can even hire a little motorboat yourself if you are confident enough! Dotted around the lake you will find vibrant little towns like Bowness and Ambleside which have a very authentic countryside feel to them. You will also find plenty of places to get stuck into water sports and other activities - particularly in the summer. Kayaking, Canoeing, Swimming and even things like Archery, Quad-Biking and Go Ape are available. For a slightly quieter experience and with a lot of designated walks into the peaceful hills, somewhere like Grasmere or Coniston Water are excellent places to set up camp. Other worthy mentions include Rydal, Derwent and Ullswater.
Car Hire Tips in the Lake District
Booking in advance is always the best way to find the cheapest vehicle hire deal. We recommend booking online rather than waiting to arrive at the car hire desk.
The Lake District covers a huge area and a hire car is perfect for seeing as much as possible.Having a car is particularly essential if you plan on doing plenty of walking and want some level of comfort on your journey back to your hotel/caravan/lodge.
The best place to hire a car depends on which part of the Lake District you are visiting and how far you plan on travelling. The biggest selection can be found in Kendal but there are also options in Barrow and Windermere.
Many of the country roads are narrow and can be very dark at night, so be sure to bring a confident driver!
Make sure to check the car’s condition and report any visible damages in order to avoid being charged unnecessarily.
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